Post by Oh-Oh on Nov 1, 2022 11:16:52 GMT -5
Date: March 15th, 2022
Location: The Warehouse - Melmerby Beach, Nova Scotia.
-~-
[Continued..]
We sense the tension in the air.
Rumours of a massive falling out between Gus Arnold and Oxford Osland had been circling through the dirt-sheets for the better part of eighteen months. Word around the water cooler was that Osland had grown a little too comfortable as the centrepiece of Northern Pro Wrestling, and was starting to open defy Gus' authority both in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes. So it shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone when Gus swiftly signed a hall of fame talent in Eric Dane and added the hottest free agent on the market to serve as the special guest referee in a 'loser leaves town' championship match.
To our knowledge, this is the first face to face interaction between Gus Arnold and Oxford Osland since September of 2020.
Osland brushes past Liam Beesley like he doesn't exist and walks right into the open door of Gus Arnold's office. After a quick glance, Gus gestures to Beesley to continue training Gordon Carlson and KUMA.
[Inside Gus' Office.]
Osland: "You should remind those two lapdogs of yours who built this place."
Gus' eyes narrow, but Osland doesn't flinch. Before Gus can respond, Osland continues on his tirade.
Osland: "That's what I did Gus, I built wrestling in Atlantic Canada. My ascent to the top of this sport allowed Northern Pro Wrestling to become a viable option in other markets in outside of Eastern Canada. Our foray into the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Southern Ontario was only possible with yours truly at the top of the marquee. Each and every paying customer wanted to see your flavour of the month try and take my head off."
Osland scoffs.
Osland: "But they were unsuccessful. Time after time, I withstood the challenge of each and every wannabe 'tough guy' that you sent my way. Then, week after week and month after month - The houses started to grow. Not even the 'All Mighty and All Knowing' Gus Arnold could've predicted the level of success that followed."
Gus continues to stare a hole through Osland. We get the impression that he's willing to allow Osland an opportunity to get a few things off of his chest. However, it might be wise for the boisterous talent to remember who stands across from him.
Osland: "How do you repay me?"
The question is rhetorical.
Osland: "You remember dontcha..."
Osland's smile widens but Gus is too stubborn to react outwardly.
Osland: "You brought in two 'ringers' to manufacture my exit from your company because you couldn't stand the fact that it was ME getting over and not one of your hand-picked lapdogs like Gordon Carlson."
We can feel the emotion in Osland's words. To this point, Gus hasn't offered anything and continue to show a great deal of restraint.
Osland: "Judging by the fact that you decided to unceremoniously close Northern Pro Wrestling - I can't help but wonder if the light finally went on for you. Nobody can replace Oxford Osland...nobody! Certainly not the band of misfits that paraded around after my departure like they were responsible for Northern Pro's success."
Gus spits a large wad of tobacco into an empty water bottle. We sense that his patience is drawing thin."
Gus: "You done?"
Gus' voice is raspy and his tone is sharp.
Osland: "I'm just getting started..."
The two men lock eyes which is followed by dead silence.
[...]
Neither man blinks.
[...]
Gus takes a forceful step forward while maintaining eye contact with Osland. We detect a small gulp from Osland who isn't sure what might be coming his way.
Gus: "Sit down."
Osland smirks, knowing he's going to do what Gus asks - but not before drawing the moment out a little longer. Osland nods his head a few times as if he's talking himself into it for Gus' sake knowing full well he's there to listen.
Osland finally takes a seat and Gus follows suit. The two men are on opposite ends of a large oak desk that accentuates the professionalism that exists inside of Gus' office space.
Gus: "Now that you've told me your version of history, it's my turn."
Osland's smirk goes away and we quickly recognize that even through Osland's obnoxious exterior, there is a side of him that is longing for answers.
Gus: "You're right. It was time for us to go in another direction."
Gus doesn't mince words.
Gus: "It was for your own good."
Another tobacco laced mountain of saliva exits Gus' mouth.
Gus: "You were becoming complacent and a change of environment was something I sensed you needed in order to grow and evolve. There was only so much you could accomplish here, and to my eye you had already done it all. So, I made sure to push you in ways that you couldn't see which were going to force you to improve your craft."
It would be customary for Osland to interrupt for start to flex, but we get the opposite. For once, he's quiet.
Gus: "I've given my life and my time to everyone else over the last fifteen since I retired from the ring. And now?"
Gus lets Osland's interest percolate.
Gus: "I want something for me!"
Osland pulls his chair closer without even realizing it.
Gus: "My final act in this sport isn't going to come from behind a desk..."
Osland: "Oh really? What then?"
Gus stands up and looks out his large bay window overlooking the ocean. After a few silent moments, Gus turns to Osland and offers.
Gus: "The sport that I love has evolved into a bastardized version of what it once was. It's no longer about two gladiators going to war with one and other as it is about some catchy high-spot and catchphrase."
[...]
Gus: "I have a proposition for you."
Osland: "I'm listening..."
[Cut.]
Location: The Warehouse - Melmerby Beach, Nova Scotia.
-~-
[Continued..]
We sense the tension in the air.
Rumours of a massive falling out between Gus Arnold and Oxford Osland had been circling through the dirt-sheets for the better part of eighteen months. Word around the water cooler was that Osland had grown a little too comfortable as the centrepiece of Northern Pro Wrestling, and was starting to open defy Gus' authority both in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes. So it shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone when Gus swiftly signed a hall of fame talent in Eric Dane and added the hottest free agent on the market to serve as the special guest referee in a 'loser leaves town' championship match.
To our knowledge, this is the first face to face interaction between Gus Arnold and Oxford Osland since September of 2020.
Osland brushes past Liam Beesley like he doesn't exist and walks right into the open door of Gus Arnold's office. After a quick glance, Gus gestures to Beesley to continue training Gordon Carlson and KUMA.
[Inside Gus' Office.]
Osland: "You should remind those two lapdogs of yours who built this place."
Gus' eyes narrow, but Osland doesn't flinch. Before Gus can respond, Osland continues on his tirade.
Osland: "That's what I did Gus, I built wrestling in Atlantic Canada. My ascent to the top of this sport allowed Northern Pro Wrestling to become a viable option in other markets in outside of Eastern Canada. Our foray into the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Southern Ontario was only possible with yours truly at the top of the marquee. Each and every paying customer wanted to see your flavour of the month try and take my head off."
Osland scoffs.
Osland: "But they were unsuccessful. Time after time, I withstood the challenge of each and every wannabe 'tough guy' that you sent my way. Then, week after week and month after month - The houses started to grow. Not even the 'All Mighty and All Knowing' Gus Arnold could've predicted the level of success that followed."
Gus continues to stare a hole through Osland. We get the impression that he's willing to allow Osland an opportunity to get a few things off of his chest. However, it might be wise for the boisterous talent to remember who stands across from him.
Osland: "How do you repay me?"
The question is rhetorical.
Osland: "You remember dontcha..."
Osland's smile widens but Gus is too stubborn to react outwardly.
Osland: "You brought in two 'ringers' to manufacture my exit from your company because you couldn't stand the fact that it was ME getting over and not one of your hand-picked lapdogs like Gordon Carlson."
We can feel the emotion in Osland's words. To this point, Gus hasn't offered anything and continue to show a great deal of restraint.
Osland: "Judging by the fact that you decided to unceremoniously close Northern Pro Wrestling - I can't help but wonder if the light finally went on for you. Nobody can replace Oxford Osland...nobody! Certainly not the band of misfits that paraded around after my departure like they were responsible for Northern Pro's success."
Gus spits a large wad of tobacco into an empty water bottle. We sense that his patience is drawing thin."
Gus: "You done?"
Gus' voice is raspy and his tone is sharp.
Osland: "I'm just getting started..."
The two men lock eyes which is followed by dead silence.
[...]
Neither man blinks.
[...]
Gus takes a forceful step forward while maintaining eye contact with Osland. We detect a small gulp from Osland who isn't sure what might be coming his way.
Gus: "Sit down."
Osland smirks, knowing he's going to do what Gus asks - but not before drawing the moment out a little longer. Osland nods his head a few times as if he's talking himself into it for Gus' sake knowing full well he's there to listen.
Osland finally takes a seat and Gus follows suit. The two men are on opposite ends of a large oak desk that accentuates the professionalism that exists inside of Gus' office space.
Gus: "Now that you've told me your version of history, it's my turn."
Osland's smirk goes away and we quickly recognize that even through Osland's obnoxious exterior, there is a side of him that is longing for answers.
Gus: "You're right. It was time for us to go in another direction."
Gus doesn't mince words.
Gus: "It was for your own good."
Another tobacco laced mountain of saliva exits Gus' mouth.
Gus: "You were becoming complacent and a change of environment was something I sensed you needed in order to grow and evolve. There was only so much you could accomplish here, and to my eye you had already done it all. So, I made sure to push you in ways that you couldn't see which were going to force you to improve your craft."
It would be customary for Osland to interrupt for start to flex, but we get the opposite. For once, he's quiet.
Gus: "I've given my life and my time to everyone else over the last fifteen since I retired from the ring. And now?"
Gus lets Osland's interest percolate.
Gus: "I want something for me!"
Osland pulls his chair closer without even realizing it.
Gus: "My final act in this sport isn't going to come from behind a desk..."
Osland: "Oh really? What then?"
Gus stands up and looks out his large bay window overlooking the ocean. After a few silent moments, Gus turns to Osland and offers.
Gus: "The sport that I love has evolved into a bastardized version of what it once was. It's no longer about two gladiators going to war with one and other as it is about some catchy high-spot and catchphrase."
[...]
Gus: "I have a proposition for you."
Osland: "I'm listening..."
[Cut.]